Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-07-14
WILL NOT BE THERE.
President cleveland Concludes not tt


lowing letter from the President tC
Mayor Frances, which has been re
eeived here: & ~.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1857.
Hon. David R. Frances, Mayor aud Chairman:
My DEAR SIR: When received the
extremely cordial andgra;ifying invita-
tion from the citizens of St. Louis, ten
dered by anumber of her representative
men, to visit that city during the ma
tional eneampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic, had been eontempla,
ting for some time the acceptance OF
the invitation from that organization
to the same effect, and had considered
the pleasure which it would afford ME
if it should be possible TO meet not only
members of the Grand Army but the
people of st. Louis and other cities in
the west, which the occasion would give
me the opportunity to visit. The exac.
tions of my public duties / felt to be Sc
uncertain, however, that when first
confronted by the delegation of which
you were the head, l expected to do nc
more at that time than to promise the
consideration of the double invitation
rendered me, and to express the pleasure
it would give me to accept the same
thereafter if possible.
But the cOrdiality and sincerity Ot
your presentation, reinforced by the
heartless of the people who surrounded
you, so impressed me, that l could not
resist the feeling which prompted me
to assure you on the spot that l would
be with you and the Grand Army OF
the Republic at the time designated il
nothing happened in the meantime to
absolutely prevent my leaving Wash
ington.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement of this conclusion, express
sions emanating from certain impor-
tant members of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and increasing in volume and
virulence, constrained me to review my
acceptance of these invitations. The
expressions referred 60 to the extent of
declaring that would be an unwelcome
guest at the time and place of the ma
tional encampment. This statement is
based, as well as can judge, upon GER
tain official acts of mine involving i'm
portant public interests, done under
the restraints and obligations of my
oath of Office, which do not appear to
accord with the wishes of some men,
bers of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. / refuse to believe that this organi-
zation, founded upon patriotic ideas,
composed very largely of men entitled
to lasting honor and consideration, and
whose crOwning glory it should be that
they are American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers, deems it as part of its
to compass any object or pur-
pose by attempting to intimidate the
executive or course those charged with
and executing the laws, and
yet the expression to which 1 have re-
ferred, indicate such prevalence of
lnfriendly feeling and such a menace
10 an occasion which should be har-
peaceful and cordial, that
they cannot be ignored. 1 beg you to
understand that 1 am not conscious of
any act of mine which should make me
fear to meet the Grand Army of the
Republic or any other assemblage of
my fellow citizens. The account of my
official stewardship is always ready for
to my countrymen.
Ishould notbe frank if failed to con-
fess, while disclaiming all resentment,
that I have been hurt by the unworthy
md wanton attacks upon me, growing
)ut of this matter, and the reckless
manner in which my actions and mo-
ives have been misrepresented, both
publicly and privately, for what, how
,ver, the Grand Army of the Republic,
IS body, is by no means responsible.
The threats of personal violence and
larm in case / undertake the trip in
question, which scores or misguided,
unbalanced men under the stimulation
Df excited feeling have made, are not
sven considered.
Rather than abandon visit to the west
Ind disappoint your citizens, I might if
alone were concerned, submit to the in
,ult to which it isquite openly asserted,
[ would be helplessly subjected if pres
ent at the encampment. But should
pear with me there the peoples highest
office, the dignity ofwhich I must pro-
;ect, and / believe that neither the
Grand Army of the Republic as an or
yanization, nor anything like a majority
If its members, would ever encourage
my scandalous attack upon it.
If, however, among the membership
If this body there are. some, as certainly
seems to be the case, determined to de-
lOunce me and my official acts at the
rational encampment, l believe they
Ihould be permitted to do so, unre-
strained by my presence as a guest of
he hospitable city in which their meet
ng is to be held.
A number Of Grand Army posts have
ignified their intention, l am informed,
o remain away from the encampmentin in
,ase visit the city at that time. With
,ut considering the merit Of such an
Excuse, feel that it ought not to be the
,ause of such non-attendance. The time
md place of the encampment were
liked long before my invitations were
eceived. Those desiring to participate
n its proceeding should be first re-
,arded, and nothing should be permit
ed to interfere with their intention.
Another consideration of more i'm
,ortance than all others remains to be
loticed. The fact was referred to by
you when you verbally presented the
invitation of the citizens of st. Louis
hat the coming encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic would be
The first held in a Southern State. +
suppose this fact was mentioned as
pleasing indication of the fraternal feel
ng SO fast gaining ground throughout
he entire land and hailed by every
patriotic citizen as an earnest that the
lnion has really and intact been saved
n sentiment and spirit with all benefits
L vouchsafes to q united people I can
not rid rnyanlf Of the halinf that thu lnnat